LOCATIONS
LAND
02 Feb 23. Roke, a leading UK innovator in science and engineering, today announces the opening of its state-of-the-art new offices, as it focuses on further expansion and technological growth.
Located within Space – a landmark 85,700 sq ft office development in the centre of Woking – the new premises will be home to over 120 employees. This adds to Roke’s existing sites in Romsey, Manchester and Gloucester, with the company now employing over 850 people in total.
The new office marks a key milestone for Roke, bringing together market-leading expertise in future computing, cloud-based engineering and data processing and analysis. The business benefits from having some of the finest minds as employees – from graduates to experienced engineers, its team of experts learn from and work with the industry’s best.
A key occupant of the office will be Roke’s Futures team, who specialise in servicing the Energy, Digital Health, Aerospace, Central Government and Law Enforcement markets.
The Roke Academy will also be based in the new office in Woking. The Academy focuses on non-traditional areas of recruitment to embrace undiscovered talent who may not have previously had the opportunity to enter the tech field. The focus on recruitment is key for the business, with 25 new people joining the Roke Academy since the start of the year.
The new office is also expected to boost employment opportunity in the local area. Roke’s strength comes from its people and their diverse backgrounds and perspectives and a core focus of the Group is to engage with young people working in STEM and to create opportunities for ambitious engineering talent.
Another of Roke’s key focuses is to make its environment and community a better place – including the local area in which it operates from. Roke currently partners with SATRO, an educational charity based in the South East of England, whose work aligns closely with Roke’s STEM outreach activity where the company engage with local schools and colleges to inspire younger generations to choose a career.
Roke believes in improving the world through innovation. The new office will be a hub for science and engineering and will bolster Woking’s reputation as a centre for economic activity and business growth.
Paul MacGregor, Managing Director of Roke commented: “Innovation is at the core of the Roke business, and we believe the new office is the perfect place for us to move into the next chapter of
our growth story, with the best possible foundations.
The government’s recent focus on Maths and other STEM subjects goes hand in hand with our operations and ambition at Roke. This new office marks our continued investment into building and growing the UK’s science and engineering industry. Our goal is to create more jobs and opportunity for a more engaged and technically skilled workforce, to help in solving real world challenges now and in the future.”
Attending the official opening of the office, Counsellor Saj Hussain, Mayor of Woking said: “I am really pleased to be here today to open the new Roke offices. As a leading science and engineering business, it is great that they have chosen Woking for such a significant part of their operations.
I believe the move will greatly benefit the local community in the years to come, through both job creation, but also the focus on building technical skills and specialist knowledge in the workforce. Roke is a prime example of the type of high calibre business we hope to continue to attract to Woking in the future.”
MARITIME
01 Feb 23. China launches second possible Type 093B hull. China launched the eighth Type 093 Shang-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) at Huludao shipyard in northern China between 13 and 18 January 2023. This is the second Type 093 hull to be launched from the new assembly halls on the eastern side of the harbour. On 11 January, the SSN was brought out to the graving dock where it was visible on a floating transfer platform with a section behind the sail partially covered. After launch, the hull was relocated to the fitting-out pier on the western side of the harbour by 18 January. While it remains unclear whether the hull has a vertical launch system (VLS), the 2021 and 2022 annual China military report published by the US Office of the Secretary of Defense stated that a Type 093B guided-missile nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSGN) was expected by the mid-2020s. (Source: Janes)
30 Jan 23. US Navy to temporarily suspend submarine docking at full capacity. The decision to suspend dry dock operation builds on the recently conducted seismic study and expert analysis. The US Navy has announced its decision to temporarily suspend some submarine docking operations at its dry dock facilities in the Pacific Northwest.
The facilities include the dry dock at delta pier at Trident Refit Facility (TRF) Bangor in North Wales as well as Dry Docks 4, 5, and 6 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF).
The latest decision to suspend dry dock operation follows the recently conducted seismic study and expert analysis.
The assessment was performed as part of the US Navy’s long-range Shipyard Infrastructure Optimisation Programme.
It highlighted some of the potential problems related to the remote possibility of a large-scale earthquake that can occur simultaneously with a submarine maintenance availability.
The study further pushed the US Navy to take additional safety measures to ensure that submarines, sailors and work force at the dry dock facilities as well as the local people can be prevented from the earthquake.
Naval Sea Systems Command commander vice admiral Bill Galinis said: “We will begin implementing these mitigations immediately and safely return our dry docks to full capacity as soon as possible.”
According to the US Navy, this decision will not have any effect on the country’s strategic deterrent capabilities or on the ability of Navy’s fleet to continue its operations.
The Navy is minimising delays to ship schedules and fleet impacts, while evaluating work packages for each affected availability to continue work pier side, whenever possible.
The service has also deployed a Naval Sea Systems Command-led team to ensure efficient and safe return of the docks to service, with all the necessary upgrades in place once the suspension is discontinued.
The decision will not impact aircraft carrier maintenance, noted the navy. (Source: naval-technology.com)
30 Jan 23. Mine-hunting ‘mother ship’ arrives in Plymouth. A specialist ship bought to support Royal Navy mine-hunting operations – a mother ship to launch drones to find and destroy undersea threats – has arrived in Plymouth.
When deployed, the platform will support the safeguarding of UK waters from the threat of mines at sea, operating a range of uncrewed systems that will help keep personnel at a safe distance.
Based at His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, the 96.8 metres long vessel – the length of two Olympic swimming pools – will work side-by-side with autonomous mine-hunting systems already operated by the Royal Navy out of Faslane under Project Wilton.
Purchased from Island Offshore, the vessel – currently named MV Island Crown, but due to be renamed as it joins the fleet – arrived at HMNB Devonport, where it will undergo minimal conversion work, primarily to support installation of military communication systems and Royal Fleet Auxiliary operations, before being handed over to the RFA later this year.
Defence Procurement Minister, Alex Chalk KC, said: “This is another significant step forward in the modernisation of Royal Navy capabilities and use of autonomous systems to complement our crewed fleet.
“This vessel will play a crucial role in the detection of undersea threats, keeping our personnel out of harm’s way while they conduct vital operations.”
Delivered at pace, the capability will assure freedom of access for the UK ships and submarines (including the Continuous At Sea Deterrent), while crucially reducing risk to personnel.
Operated by specialist teams on board, these innovative systems will allow the Royal Navy to protect UK waters, also providing support to the North Atlantic and European waters if required.
Commodore Steve Prest, Director Navy Acquisition, said: “The delivery of this ship is an important step in the Navy’s transformation to conducting mine countermeasures using distributed offboard systems-of-systems.
“The ship will be used to extend the range of our Maritime Autonomous Systems from coastal waters to conducting offshore survey operations in Defence of the homeland.”
The uncrewed systems will include the joint French-UK Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) system, the Combined Influence Sweep (SWEEP) system and Medium Underwater Autonomous Vehicles (MAUVs).
The purchase of the £40m ship was carried out by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the MOD.
DE&S Director General Ships, Vice Admiral Paul Marshall, said: “Our team undertook extensive research and market analysis to identify a vessel for the Royal Navy that would meet the vital capability it needs, and could be delivered at pace whilst also provide value for money to the taxpayer.”
“The result of that agile working is the delivery of a highly effective ship which will be converted to purpose at HMNB Devonport. Once militarised, it will play a key role in countering the evolving threats posed by mines at sea.” The ship is intended to enter service in Spring 2023. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
AIR
01 Feb 23. RAF Hawk T2 jets cleared to resume flying, Chief of Air Staff confirms. Hawk T2 jets are “no longer grounded,” the head of the Royal Air Force told MPs on the Commons Defence Committee. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said the pause ended yesterday and the fleet of fast jet training aircraft is no longer grounded. The RAF had paused training flights on its fleet of Hawk T2 jets after a “recent issue on the runway” involving a TMk2 engine. The update was provided by the Chief of the Air Staff as he appeared before MPs on the Commons Defence Committee to face questions about the state of the Royal Air Force. An RAF spokesperson confirmed last week that flying was temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure, pending the results of a technical investigation. The RAF Hawk T2 training jet – like its T1 sister – is a fully aerobatic, low-wing, transonic, two-seat training aircraft. (Source: forces.net)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
24 Jan 23. Royal New Zealand Air Force retires P-3K2 Orion aircraft. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) will retire the last three of its P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) at the end of January 2023 after 57 years of service. At RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai on 24 January, No 5 Squadron, which operates and maintains the aircraft, completed a final flypast of the three aircraft in formation. Two of the aircraft will then fly to RNZAF Base Woodbourne where the fleet is being put into storage. The decommissioning of the last three P-3K2 Orions from the original fleet of six aircraft is taking place about six months early, before the replacement fleet of four P-8A Orion MPAs has been stood up for operations at No 5 Squadron’s new home at RNZAF Base Ohakea. (Source: Janes)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
02 Feb 23. USAF BG Elizabeth E. Arledge for appointment to the grade of major general. Arledge is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
02 Feb 23. USAF BG Robert M. Blake for appointment to the grade of major general. Blake is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
02 Feb 23. USAF BG Vanessa J. Dornhoefer for appointment to the grade of major general. Dornhoefer is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering, and force protection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
02 Feb 23. USAF BG Christopher A. Freeman for appointment to the grade of major general. Freeman is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director of operations, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
02 Feb 23. USAF BG David P. Garfield for appointment to the grade of major general. Garfield is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
02 Feb 23. USAF BG Mitchell A. Hanson for appointment to the grade of major general. Hanson is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) and Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
02 Feb 23. USAF BG Jody A. Merritt for appointment to the grade of major general. Merritt is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, Space Operations Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
02 Feb 23. USAF BG Adrian K. White for appointment to the grade of major general. White is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
02 Feb 23. USAF BG William W. Whittenberger Jr. for appointment to the grade of major general. Whittenberger is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
02 Feb 23. USAF BG Christopher F. Yancy for appointment to the grade of major general. Yancy is currently serving as the special assistant to the commander, U.S. Africa Command, Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart-Mohringen, Germany.
27 Jan 23. USAF MG Andrew J. Gebara for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy chief of staff, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. Gebara is currently serving as the commander, Eighth Air Force; and commander, Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
27 Jan 23. USN Rear Adm. Frederick W. Kacher for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as commander, Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan. Kacher is currently serving as vice director for Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
27 Jan 23. USN Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command; commander, Fifth Fleet; and commander, Combined Maritime Forces, Manama, Bahrain. Wikoff is currently serving as vice director, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
02 Feb 23. Senior SANDF appointments and promotions announced.
Rank upgrade for Nsizwa Skosana from the Surgeon General.
Four major generals have been added to the senior ranks of the SA Air Force (SAAF) and SA Military Health Service (SAMHS), including a new deputy chief for the airborne service.
Those now carrying two stars are Mayenzeke Matanda, Mongezi Kweta and Patrick Sehlare in the airborne service of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) with Nsizwa Skosana receiving his second star from Surgeon General, Lieutenant General Peter Maphaha, yesterday (Wednesday, 1 February).
Kweta is appointed Chief Director Corporate Communications to fill a vacant post, while Matanda is now Deputy Chief Air Force, replacing Major General Mzayifani Innocent Buthelezi, placed as Deputy Chief Joint Operations. Sehlare is Chief Director Force Development and Support in place of Major General Setete Daniel Malakoane who is moved to logistics as Deputy Chief.
After the promotion confirmation in the Sir Pierre van Ryneveld Hall at SAAF headquarters, also yesterday, SAAF Chief Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo wished the new two-stars well. OC SAAF Headquarters Unit, Colonel Mashadi Tswidi, is reported by Captain Tebogo August as saying the promotions are deserved and testament to hard work and dedication.
On the eastern side of Pretoria to SAAF headquarters in the west at SAMHS Erasmuskloof headquarters Maphaha added a second star to the rank insignia of Skosana, the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) Thaba Tshwane’s 1 Military Hospital. He is redeployed as Chief Director Military Health Force Support in SAMHS “upper echelon” according to SAMHS Corporate Communication.
A number of senior appointments came into effect on 1 February following a SANDF Chief Annual Succession Planning Seminar in December. They include Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu, now Deputy Chief Army to fill a vacant post. Major General Patrick Dube is Chief Director Force Preparation in place of Dyakopu.
Brigadier General HD Mashego is the new General Officer Commanding SA Army Infantry Formation, promoted to Major General, replacing Dube.
Also in the SA Army, Major General Thithuwi Edward Mulaudzi is the new General Officer Commanding SA Army Support Formation, replacing Major General Mzikayise Joseph Tyhalisi who is now Chief Director Operations Development.
In the SAAF, Major General Elma De Villiers is now Chief Director Policy and Planning, filling a vacant post. Brigadier General Lance Mathebula will be Chief Director Force Preparation after promotion to Major General in March, replacing Major General Mbukeli Songqushwa who retires on 28 February.
In the SA Navy, Rear Admiral Bubele Mhlana is now Deputy Chief Navy, filling a vacant post. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
30 Jan 23. Australian space research centre SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre has announced the appointment of a new chair. Current board member Dr Michele Allan AO has been appointed chair of SmartSat CRC, following the passing of Dr Peter Woodgate in late 2022. Dr Allan is currently the chair of the boards of Charles Sturt University, the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre, Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence CRC, and Wine Australia. She also served as chair of Meat and Livestock Australia and the William Angliss Institute. Dr Allan also currently serves as a non-executive director of the CSIRO. As a founding member, the research centre hopes that her industry expertise will continue to drive the organisation. Dr Allan hopes to use the role to continue supporting Australia’s space and technology industries. (Source: Space Connect)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
30 Jan 23. Celektronix, a new one-stop-shop of electronic manufacturing solutions, announces the deployment of its electronic product development and manufacturing services for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive, railway, engineering, medical devices, power generation, defense and telecommunication industries. A member of the Custom Electronics, Inc. (CEI) family of companies, Celektronix meets the production requirements of the entire spectrum of the electronics industry.
Celektronix covers every step of the process from design and development to testing, final assembly and batch production for its customers. With its dedicated and skilled workforce, along with the installed capacity of fully automatic SMT facilities, Celektronix can build, design and distribute high-quality products that meet the satisfaction of its customers.
The brand’s prototype and assembly services span from surface mounts, flexible circuits and through-hole PCB assembly, as well as inductor, edge winding, and transformer electromagnetics. Wiring harness capabilities include data/encoder/network cables, automobile cables/harnesses and power and sensor/transducer cables. Additionally, microcontrollers for automation, motor and pump, and intelligent power panels, as well as high voltage capacitors, electronic assemblies and encapsulated modules and component assembly are also offered by the brand.
“We look forward to offering Celektronix’s advanced electronics services to a wide range of industries,” says Pradeep Haldar, President, Celektronix. “Celektronix customers will benefit from advanced PCB assembly, cost reduction and systems design upgrades.”
30 Jan 23. Easy Aerial signs production agreement with Kitron. Kitron has entered into a production agreement with Easy Aerial Inc, a rapidly growing US company that develops autonomous UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) solutions. The multi-year, multim-dollar manufacturing partnership will be supported at Kitron’s Windber, Pennsylvania, facility.
“Easy Aerial continues to expand its operations through collaborations with strategic partners. We are delighted to have signed an agreement with Kitron, which has a leading position in electronic manufacturing services, has the capacity to produce large volumes and offers advanced front-end services,” says Ivan Stamatovski, CTO of Easy Aerial.
“We are very happy that Easy Aerial has chosen Kitron as a manufacturing partner to support its growth. Kitron has a long history within the defense and homeland security market, and the drone segment provides exciting growth opportunities, not least in the US, where our Windber facility is well-positioned to meet that demand. Signing a long-term partnership agreement with Easy Aerial, a market leader in UAV solutions, is great recognition,” says Gary Tarallo, Managing Director of Kitron, US Operations.
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, Easy Aerial has a team of over 100 engineers, designers and aerospace experts. The company develops military-grade autonomous UAV solutions for security, mapping and inspection applications. Easy Aerial, in addition to servicing many commercial verticals, completely services DoD and governmental customers by sustaining USA-based production, and maintaining NDAA compliance with associated certifications (ISO, AS, CMMx) as to fit federal operational requirements. (Source: Google/https://www.yahoo.com/)
27 Jan 23. Leonardo and Safran Partner for AW09 Single-engine Helicopter Propulsion System.
- The production configuration of the next generation single-engine helicopter will be powered by the Arriel 2K engine, the latest version of the Arriel family.
- The AW09 will leverage the proven technology and reliability of this engine family together with innovative and efficient global support solutions to respond to current and future single-engine market expectations.
- The latest AW09 prototype, PS4, is expected to start flight test activities with the Arriel 2K engine at Kopter’s facility in Mollis (Switzerland) in few days.
Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines announced today they have joined forces to further enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of the next generation AW09 single-engine helicopter. The production aircraft will feature the 1,000 shp class of power Arriel 2K engine, the newest generation of the Arriel family.
The selection of the new engine guarantee the most efficient level of industrialization, global supply and supportability for customers. The combined Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines support network will provide innovative, simplified and competitive maintenance solutions and cost of operations, sustained by tailored PBH (Power-By-The-Hour) and SBH® (Support-By-the-Hour) contracts as well as a large range of digital services.
Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines boast a longstanding and now further expanding partnership spanning from propulsion systems for light twins up to super medium class helicopters. The two companies also share now the highest level of interest and commitment for the single-engine commercial market and its future evolution.
Gian Piero Cutillo, MD of Leonardo Helicopters, said: “Since the integration of Kopter into our organization and the introduction of the AW09 into our product range, we have firmly maintained our commitment to deliver to the market exactly what it expects from a single engine of the latest standards backed by an efficient and responsive global support network. The decision to select this propulsion system is totally consistent with this strategy and we look forward to working with our partner to bring the most modern single engine on the commercial market.”
Franck Saudo, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, commented: “We are proud that Leonardo has placed its trust once again in Safran Helicopter Engines to power its latest light helicopter. We will bring to the AW09 our strong expertise in single-engine helicopter applications together with the specific feature of the engine. The Arriel 2K engine is the latest version of the well-known Arriel engine family and will clearly bring high level of capability, reliability and ease of operations to the AW09.”
The new propulsion system is already installed on the latest AW09 prototype, PS4 (Pre Series 4), which is about to start flight test activities at Kopter’s facility in Mollis. PS4 includes all developments implemented and tested on P3, the previous prototype, allowing to reach the AW09 final configuration. PS5, the next and final prototype is planned to follow later in 2023.
The AW09 programme performed major steps forward in 2022 in parallel to the integration of the production propulsion system, including flying the new & final main rotor blades and agreeing the type certification basis with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).
The AW09 will continue to be developed by Kopter in Switzerland with the contribution of joint Leonardo-Kopter teams. Kopter is set to become a Centre of Competence for new light helicopters and an incubator of new technologies for vertical flight. As such, it will contribute to the development of new hybrid and electrical propulsion systems and will play an important role in the framework of Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 strategic plan, which aims to be in the leading position on the civil rotorcraft market and modern air mobility.
The single-engine AW09 offers increased modularity, modern electronic systems, high digitalization and the largest cabin and cargo hold in its category. Its superior characteristics – including fast cruise speeds and hot-and-high capabilities – are combined with a low noise signature resulting from the newly-developed dynamic assembly and shrouded tail-rotor.
Safran Helicopter Engines is the propulsion market leader for single-engine helicopters. The Arriel is one of Safran’s best sellers with over 15 000 engines in operation. Every day the engine enhances its reputation as a safe and reliable partner, especially for operators flying demanding EMS, search and rescue, law enforcement, maritime surveillance missions and aerial work. (Source: ASD Network)
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
03 Feb 23. Deutsche Aircraft has appointed Alexander Jung as General Counsel. Alexander will be responsible for all legal and compliance matters of the company. He joins Deutsche Aircraft from Airbus where he served in various leadership positions for more than 15 years, most recently as Head of Legal Intellectual Property at Airbus Commercial. Alexander is an accomplished legal strategist and negotiator as well as an expert in managing compliance. Before joining industry, he served both in private practice and academia. Alexander is a fully qualified German lawyer, member of the Munich Bar Association and holds a doctoral degree (PhD) and a Master (LL.M.) degree in law.
01 Feb 23. Tanya Altmann is taking over the management of HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH, headquartered in Oberkochen/Germany. After a successful career in various companies, the native of Aalen is returning to her home region. “I am very much looking forward to being part of a technology leader in the defence industry in the future,” said Tanya Altmann at the welcome on Wednesday morning. As of 1 April, the 45-year-old is to take over the management of HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH and the management of HENSOLDT’s Optronics & Land Solutions business unit from Andreas Hülle, who held this position for a period of almost seven years and played a key role in shaping the Optronics business. Andreas Hülle, who was successfully active in the security and defence industry for more than 30 years in total, will then retire. In addition to realising the growth strategy of the HENSOLDT Group, the new Optronics manager, who studied mechanical engineering with a specialisation in aerospace technology and today advises career starters and young executives as a volunteer mentor, and is also a member of the FidAR association (Frauen in die Aufsichtsräte – Women on Supervisory Boards), wants to set her own accents: “As a new member of the HENSOLDT leadership team, I see it as one of my most important tasks to ensure that we continue to develop and deliver sensor solutions that help to protect our liberal values and our free democratic basic order, both in Germany and in the European alliance and NATO.”
30 Jan 23. Kleos Space S.A. (ASX: KSS, Frankfurt: KS1, Kleos or Company), the space-powered defence and intelligence technology company, appointed New York-based James A. Quella as a strategic advisor to the Board, to conduct a corporate finance review and to assist in the identification and execution of a strategic corporate transaction. Mr Quella is a highly experienced corporate director and strategic advisor with current appointments including director of Dun & Bradstreet Inc, since February 2019, and director of Getty Images (and CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II prior to their business combination) since August 2020. He is a former Senior Managing Director, Senior Operating Partner, and Head of Portfolio Operations Group at Blackstone’s Private Equity Group, having served in those roles from 2003 to 2014. Mr Quella is a Kleos security holder – holding approximately 2.5% of the issued capital – and has served as a member of Kleos’ Advisory Board since May 2021. As Strategic Advisor to the Board, Mr Quella has been tasked with conducting a review of the Company’s corporate financing strategy with a view towards the completion of a future corporate action – whether that be a merger, acquisition, or other strategic corporate activity. In this role, Mr Quella will be bringing his substantial experience in managing businesses and in mergers and acquisitions, his familiarity with corporate finance and strategic business financing activities, and his extensive experience serving as a director for various public and private companies.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
31 Jan 23. Advanced IT Concepts, Inc. (AITC), a leading systems integration firm providing information technology (IT), training, simulation and professional services and solutions to defense and federal agencies, recently named Matthew Page as the company’s Chief of Cyber and Technology Programs. Page is responsible for the successful implementation of all Cyber and Technology related programs, the development and enactment of cyber security growth strategy for future cyber program expansion opportunities and leading the Cyber Security Community of Interest (COI). Prior to joining AITC, Page previously served our nation as an Army Chief Warrant Officer and a Department of the Army Civilian. His most recent Federal Government role was in Civilian Service serving as NETCOM’s Southeast Region Network Division Chief (GS-14). Page has earned numerous awards in both the military and civilian communities, including the prestigious Legion of Merit and the 93rd Signal Brigade’s Senior Civilian of the Year. Additionally, he has acquired several technical certifications including: ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate, VMware Certified Professional, Cisco Certified Network Associate, Security+, GAIC Security Essentials, and GAIC Certified Incident Handler. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
25 Jan 23. Alaska Satellite Facility selects new director with a history from within the institution. There’s a new director at Alaska Satellite Facility at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Wade Albright has been with ASF since 1996, just five years after it became operational. He had been serving as interim director since late January 2022, when then-Director Nettie La Belle-Hamer left to become UAF vice chancellor for research. (Source: Satnews)
01 Feb 23. Benchmark Executive Search, an award-winning search firm, announced today the placement of Sam Gordy as President of Janes US. He will be responsible for Janes continued growth in the US market and will develop and execute a comprehensive strategy focused on accelerated organic and inorganic growth. The position reports to Blake Bartlett, Chief Executive Officer based in the United Kingdom. Janes has an unmatched legacy of more than 120 years. They have adapted, expanded, and developed its unique tradecraft while transitioning from a traditional military publisher to the leading global agency for open-source defense intelligence. The Janes stamp of trust means supplying their customers with timely, validated, unbiased and relevant intelligence in a world crowded with increasingly unreliable information. Now Janes is expanding their presence in the US government market. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
31 Jan 23. Mercury Systems Announces CFO Transition. Mercury Systems, Inc. (“Mercury” or the “Company”), (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers processing power for the most demanding aerospace and defense missions, today announced that Michael Ruppert, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer, will step down from the Company, effective February 17, 2023, to accept an opportunity at a private company. Michelle McCarthy, Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, will serve as Mercury’s interim Chief Financial Officer. The Company has initiated a search process, with the assistance of a leading executive search firm, to identify a permanent successor. Ms. McCarthy is Mercury’s Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer. She joined the Company in 2018 with responsibilities spanning financial reporting, accounting, and tax operations. Ms. McCarthy has extensive senior financial experience in accounting and reporting at several companies, including Analog Devices Inc. and Ernst & Young LLP. Nelson Erickson, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, will assume additional responsibility for the Investor Relations function. Mr. Ruppert’s departure is not related to any issues or disagreements regarding the Company’s financial statement disclosures or accounting policies or practices.
31 Jan 23. Merit International, Inc., the leading digital verified identity company, announced today that Terron Sims, II has joined the organization to lead initiatives relating to veterans and military families. Sims will serve as the newly appointed Executive Director of Military & Veterans Affairs. From enabling the spouses of military service members to secure work following a relocation, to solving logistical challenges during a live emergency, Merit’s verified identity technology is a versatile and powerful tool being adopted by all levels of government across the country. Sims brings decades of expertise to the role. A fourth-generation veteran, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, before serving five years in the US Army. Sims brings with him three decades of national-level military and government policy-writing experience to Merit, as the company expands the scope of its work advocating for military families. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 Jan 23. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announces that its board of directors has elected Stephen O’Bryan corporate vice president and Global Business Development Officer, effective February 6. He will report to Kathy Warden, chair, chief executive officer and president, and be responsible for leading the business development organization and enabling the company’s international growth strategy. O’Bryan will succeed David Perry, who has announced his intent to retire effective March 31.
31 Jan 23. Red Cell Partners (Red Cell), an incubation firm building technology-focused companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market within the national security and healthcare arenas, today announced that Admiral (Retired) William K. Lescher, the 41st Vice Chief of Naval Operations, has joined as a Senior Advisor. In addition, Lescher has joined DEFCON AI (DEFCON), a Red Cell portfolio company building next-generation tools for the modern military mobility environment, as a Strategic Advisor. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
31 Jan 23. RMC, the leader in Mission Assurance, Risk Management and Industrial Cybersecurity solutions, today announced the appointment of Admiral James Foggo III, U.S. Navy (Ret.) as Chairperson of its Board of Directors. The appointment will support the company’s high-growth trajectory in the defense and commercial markets. Foggo, a senior executive, industry leader and distinguished military officer, has served on the RMC Board since 2021. Foggo is an accomplished strategist, innovator, diplomat and technology integrator who achieved the rank of four-star admiral, formerly serving as commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa as well as the U.S. Sixth Fleet. He currently is Dean of the Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League of the United States and a distinguished fellow of the Center for European Policy Analysis and the Council on Competitiveness.
31 Jan 23. Sumaria Systems, a leading provider of professional, technology, engineering, and management services to the U.S. Government, has announced the appointment of Dave Dzaran to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). As CEO, Dave will oversee the continued growth of the company and sustain the strong culture built on performance, teamwork and commitment to its customers, partners, and employees. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
30 Jan 23. Elbit Systems of Australia has appointed a new non-executive board member, in the latest management change for the company. Retired Air Vice-Marshal Kym Osley, AM, CSC, has been appointed as a non-executive board member of Elbit Systems of Australia (ELSA) in the latest management change for the company. The tech company announced the reorganisation after recording a successful transformation to strengthen its governance, engineering, IT infrastructure, and security. ELSA is also in the process of selecting a chief executive officer following the departure of former managing director Paul McLachlan, AO, CSC, in December last year. (Source: Defence Connect)
30 Jan 23. Embraer announced today that Andreza de Souza Alberto, current director of operations at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto (SP) unit, will be the new vice president of People, ESG and Corporate Communications. The current VP of the area, Carlos Alberto Griner, announced in December his decision to leave the company. The change becomes effective on February 1st. With 17 years of experience at Embraer, Andreza holds a degree in mechatronics engineering, with specialization courses in management at Fundação Dom Cabral and governance at IBGC. At the company, she currently leads the Gavião Peixoto (SP) unit, which has more than 2,000 employees and is mainly dedicated to the production of defense aircraft and executive jets. Previously, she worked as a production manager and manufacturing engineering supervisor, with a strong focus on people management, safety and quality, process improvements and Lean implementation.